ENGLAND BLOW AS STOKES OPTS TO GIVE WORLD T20 A SWERVE

TEST SKIPPER WANTS TO FOCUS ON RETURNING TO TOP LEVEL AS ALL-ROUNDER AFTER INJURY SETBACKS

- Malik Ouzia

BEN STOKES will play no part in England's T20 World Cup defence this summer after opting out of the tournament to focus on returning to his best as a Test all-rounder.

Stokes was the hero of England's final victory over Pakistan in 2022 (right, with the trophy), making an unbeaten half-century to steer home a nervy chase in a low-scoring game.

However, the Test captain will be missing when Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott take their side to the USA and Caribbean in June, in what is a major blow to a leadership set-up under significant pressure following the dismal 50-over World Cup showing in India last year.

Stokes, who underwent surgery on a long-standing knee issue late last year, will instead concentrate on playing for newly-promoted Durham in the first part of the County Championship season, leading up to England's Test series against West Indies and Sri Lanka later in the summer.